You don't need to be a fairy tale character to dress like one. Good thing, too. With the San Francisco Ballet's new production of "Cinderella" set to premiere Friday with a sold-out opening-night performance and after-party ball, who'd want to wear a real glass slipper? Ouch.

The ballet is a co-production with the Dutch National Ballet and is inspired by the folktale of an oppressed young woman whose life circumstances change as she triumphs and is bestowed with a vast reward. Various websites put the origins of the story alternately in Greek, Egyptian and Chinese mythology from the first century B.C. to A.D. 860, with versions found in cultures all over the world.

"Cinderella" as we know it today was published in French as "Histoires ou Contes du Temps Passé" by Charles Perrault in 1697, and later by the Grimm brothers as "Aschenputtel," which translates to "cinder fool." These versions involve haughty stepmothers, absent fathers, mean siblings, a handsome prince and a magical illusion that ends at midnight.

We hope you are not troubled by wicked stepsisters putting a damper on your style, or in need of a handsome prince to come to your rescue. The modern girl is self-sufficient, thanks to self-made fortunes (or credit cards) that allow her to chart her own path in the world. But if you should need any sartorial suggestions, here are a few fashion finds inspired by that glass slipper - for the Cinderella ball or any other incredible event on your calendar.